Positives from Moss Park loss for Ladies
THIS weekend Rochdale Ladies Hockey were away at Moss Park playing their 2nds.
Rochdale were able to field a strong team with multiple subs even with regular keeper Sam Partington out as she was running a marathon.
They started strong, using quick passes and marking out the opposition to drive the play into their attacking end. Each time Moss Park intercepted or tackled to gain possession Rochdale turned with determination to win back the ball they’d just lost.
Becky Knowles took a side ball and belted it into the D where Katie Burrell was waiting, she received it and managed a shot on goal. Unfortunately it cut just outside the post.
Not long after, Becki Moon crossed for Becca Newton who took a shot on goal only to be denied by the Moss Park goalie.
Moss Park got themselves a short corner which Rochdale excellently defended by Dionne Collinson, Gill Owen, Nikki Mongan and Leech.
Gemma Hodcroft showed the benefits of a fresh set of legs as she instantly made an impact when she was subbed onto the field. Hurtling up the pitch around the Moss Park defence into their D and took a quick shot on goal that was just saved.
After some excellent work by defence and midfield the ball found its way to Roisin Pickering, who flew up the right wing and crossed the ball to where Jenny Banks was waiting on the far post, who teased the Moss Park defence before tapping it over the line and into the goal.
The second half started with strong play from both teams, with Moss Park switching around their wings and Rochdale closing down their play.
However, Rochdale were flagging and Moss Park were able to intercept more passes from them and drive play back.
Soon Moss Park were able to breakthrough Rochdale’s midfield with a group of attackers running for goal, and despite some valiant efforts from Rochdale’s defence they were outmanoeuvred for Moss Park to equalise.
Rochdale weren’t out yet and after some good work from the midfield to weave and pass between the Moss Park players, Banks received the ball in the D, her shot on goal was saved but Ransome was there to claim the rebound. Unfortunately Moss Park closed down her efforts to pass it off to Hodcroft at the top of the D and they were unable to make another attempt on goal.
Moss Park took the opportunity of a short corner to nudge into the lead with another goal. Though the Rochdale defence didn’t allow them to repeat that in the next short corners.
Unfortunately by now Rochdale were starting to tire and Moss Park were happy to take advantage by intercepting much of their play. However, despite that Rochdale were still pushing back and kept managing to drive play into Moss Park’s defence. However, Moss Park were able to find another break and a final goal.
Final score was 3-1 to Moss Park, with goal scorer Jenny Banks.
Both player of the match and umpire’s player of the match was Gill Owen.
Captain Pickering said: “Despite the disappointing result we had a lot of positives from the match. Our playing has improved since our last match and a lot of players adapted well to new positions. We have a lot of positivity to work with to do even better next time.”